AS RARE AS THEY COME, MODEL A 400, RUSSIAN MODEL B MOTOR, ULTIMATE COLLECTOR!!

Description

If you haven't seen one of these Ford Model As before, don't be surprised. It's a 1931 A400, known as the convertible sedan, and it's the Holy Grail of Model A collecting. Rare, handsome, and practical as ever, this Model also has a wonderful history and a lot of neat details to its restoration that make it a great car to drive and one that is sure to stand out at any Model A club event.
There's so much information on this car that it's hard to know where to start. The A400 was a late addition to the Model A roster and only a handful were built. Today, they're the most valuable and highly-sought of all body styles (except maybe the town car), and everyone already knows this car. It appeared in the book "Henry's Lady" about the Model A, numerous magazine articles documenting its restoration (and re-restoration in 2012), and a long list of awards at various shows. The fact that it's also gorgeous is no coincidence. Finished in Chicle and Copra Drab, it's elegant and subtle, and befitting a car of this one's stature, it's loaded up with options. That's still the paint that was applied during the 1970s restoration and it's in amazing condition with very few indications that it's nearing 50 years of age. There's a straw pinstripe that matches the wheels, and it sports an incredibly rare 3-door hood that was a period accessory. Much of the stainless and chrome trim was freshened recently and there's a new grille guard up front. Dual sidemounts and a rear-mounted trunk make it ideal for touring and it's hard to believe this is "just" a Ford. Wow!
The beautiful brown leather interior is sporting but practical, featuring a number of upgrades designed to make it the ideal vintage travelling partner on the road. Bucket seats offer seat belts for safety, there are turn signals on the steering column, a very rare 5-gauge instrument panel that adds temperature and oil pressure dials to the standard Model A setup, not to mention the beautiful engine-turned face. The woodgrained garnish moldings are just lovely and the carpets are brand new. There's not a mark on the upholstery and again, it speaks very highly of the quality of that 1972 restoration because the years haven't been able to get a grip on this A. The top does indeed fold, although the tops of the window channels remain in place, so perhaps it is better to think of it as a giant sunroof. Either way, it's remarkable to see.
The engine looks like a familiar Model A 4-cylinder, but this is actually a very rare Russian-built GAZ Model B engine, of which they built 65. Why the Soviets were building Model A engines, I can't say, but it makes 55 horsepower, 15 more than the standard Ford engine, and thanks to careful maintenance and a recent full service, it runs superbly. It was recently stripped and repainted, the steering column was rebuilt, the flywheel was turned and a new pilot bearing installed, and it runs a Model B carburetor instead of the original Zenith. You'll also spot an alternator up front, new wiring, and an F100 steering column. The transmission is from a '39 Ford, so it has synchromesh for easy shifting and few people will spot the upgrade. Hydraulic brakes are another plus to improve reliability and performance, and on a car that you're going to drive, they're very welcome. A standard Model A exhaust system has that traditional sound and it sits on proper 19-inch wire wheels powdercoated Tacoma Cream and wrapped in wide whitewall tires.
This is an extraordinary Model A, perhaps the most noteworthy one in existence. The modifications only make it more user-friendly and its extensive pedigree makes it a car that any Model A fan would be honored to have in his collection. Call today!